This course is designed to introduce graduates whose first degree is not in psychology to the core areas that make up this fascinating field of study.

Introduction

Postgraduate funding (tuition fee and living cost loan) may be available from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland for those who meet the eligibility criteria. Visit the SAAS website for more information.

Why choose this course?

• Applied emphasis, focusing on a variety of areas where knowledge of psychological theory and findings are a distinct advantage
• Opportunity to be taught by, and work closely with, active researchers. Access to our psychology research laboratories and teaching labs, described as ‘exemplary’ in our most recent independent subject review
• Professionally accredited by the British Psychological Society, conferring eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC)

The MSc Psychology is designed to introduce graduates of other disciplines to the fascinating field of psychology. Students will be provided with the opportunity to study those topics which will confer eligibility for Graduate Basis of Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society (BPS) as long as a minimum level of performance is achieved. Psychology is a rewarding and valuable area of study. As a student of psychology one gains a scientific understanding of mind, brain, behaviour, experience, and of the complex interactions between these. The programme provides training in the scientific method and the history and philosophy of science to students. Psychology applies a rigorous scientific methodology to biological, linguistic, philosophical, socio-cultural, and anthropological topics. It is thus an inherently multidisciplinary subject.

Join our Graduate School

Our Graduate School is a dedicated facility providing support, training and professional development opportunities to our vibrant postgraduate community. Specially designed to promote integration and inculcation of interdisciplinary working in our next generation of researchers, postgraduates study and learn together at Abertay - from Environmental Management to Law, Psychology, Bioscience, Economics and Business, Cybersecurity and Computer Games Development.

When you join us as a postgraduate student or researcher, you’ll be joining a community of creative like-minded scholars and will automatically be provided with access to our dedicated study and social spaces – a forum in which you can meet, work and learn with other researchers and postgraduates from across the University. You’ll benefit from training and professional development opportunities as well as support with funding applications, placement opportunities, teaching support, public engagement and outreach activity.

Find out more about our Graduate School.

Making the Most of Masters

The Making the Most of Masters project provides opportunities for Masters students to undertake work based projects, allowing you to enhance your employability at the same time as studying for your Masters degree.

Working with external organisations and employers, the projects are an integral part of your academic programme, and address real needs within an organisation meaning you’ll have the opportunity to add valuable experience to your CV.

Find out more about Making the Most of Masters.

What you study

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind, brain, and behaviour. Psychology can be applied to a variety of real-life settings and is important to many careers and occupations. As part of the British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation, the course covers the core areas of psychology over two terms of taught courses.

Term 1 (September - December) introduces you to cognitive psychology, biological psychology, and individual differences.
Term 2 (January - May) covers developmental psychology and social psychology.

In addition, a postgraduate course in Research Methods introduces you to quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques that provide you with the necessary skills to undertake your Masters project in the summer months (June - August).

Those exiting the course after successful completion of the taught component (i.e. Postgraduate Diploma) would be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) Psychology.

How you learn and are assessed

An integrated programme of lectures, seminars, group discussion and lab work is used to enhance your understanding of the core areas of psychology. You will analyse how this knowledge is applied in real world settings and in a variety of occupations. Web-based learning provides a virtual learning environment that allows you to access teaching and library materials and to interact with staff and fellow students.

A combination of written submissions, presentations, laboratory reports and formal examinations are used throughout the course. The research project is written in the style of a scientific research article.